No one knew how much time had passed.
Click.
The lights in the lab finally flicked on.
Liang Jiashu stood up, swallowed what was in his mouth, and casually opened a bottle of mineral water from the side.
But his whole face was clouded with gloom, drinking water with that stone-cold expression, his knuckles making the plastic bottle creak from the pressure… He truly looked like a guy frustrated with his life and suffering from performance issues.
Truly…It was comical as hell!
Lu Chi bit back a laugh, deciding to pretend he hadn’t noticed anything, all for the sake of preserving the little virgin’s fragile pride. Ah… he sighed inwardly. I’m just too kind.
“Liang Jiashu, I want some water too.”
His voice still carried the rough edge left behind by desire, like gravel stirred through silk. To Liang Jiashu, it sounded as if a kitten had scratched his ear, leaving behind a faint, lingering itch.
Most of Lu Chi’s white shirt had been unbuttoned, revealing a sharp collarbone. A delicate layer of abdominal muscles peeked through the loose fabric, scattered with the ambiguous aftermath of recent intimacy: light, sticky hickeys, and even the occasional tooth mark.
Liang Jiashu gave a hoarse grunt and picked out the prettiest bottle of mineral water, twisted off the cap, and handed it over.
“Thanks~,” Lu Chi said politely.
Liang Jiashu paused and looked up at him.
Under the lights, Lu Chi was a glorious mess.
Still draped lazily in a blanket, he sat on the metal table with his long legs stretched out. Sweat-dampened bangs clung to his smooth forehead, and his upturned eyes shimmered with a soft, wet sheen. The whole person radiated a subtle, post-intimacy heat.
They hadn’t even gotten to home base, yet he already looked that… Indecent.
Absolutely unfair!
Sensing the young man’s stare, Lu Chi gulped down the water and glanced over, asking: “What’s wrong?”
…It wasn’t Liang Jiashu’s imagination. That trailing tone at the end, there was definitely a hint of coyness in Lu Chi’s voice. That was when Liang Jiashu realized. His beloved, when in a good mood or feeling comfortable, seemed to act a little spoiled unconsciously.
The unexpectedly adorable discovery made his breath hitch slightly. That oppressive gloom from earlier disappeared, replaced by a heart that suddenly turned to mush and… Unfortunately… Another surge of arousal.
Lu Chi caught the unmistakable silhouette of Liang Jiashu’s pants rising again and fell silent for two seconds before bursting into laughter.
“Liang Jiashu, seriously?! Maybe go see a doctor?”
Cool down, kid. Chill out!
But Liang Jiashu misunderstood. His face darkened immediately as he grabbed Lu Chi’s wrist and explained stiffly, almost defensively: “I only… lost control because I don’t have experience. I mean… What happened earlier was an accident. It won’t happen again.” His voice then dropped hoarsely as he continued: “Next time, I guarantee nothing less than an hour!”
…What was this, a husband vowing not to be a one-minute man?!
Lu Chi fought hard not to laugh and nodded solemnly. With his eyes sincere and full of belief, he comforted him: “Well, I don’t have that much experience either, but I believe in you. Go for it. You got this.”
Liang Jiashu stared into those glittering, smiling eyes for a long moment. He didn’t say anything else, just stood there with sweat slowly trickling down his forehead.
Lu Chi tugged him closer, used his already ruined shirt to wipe away some of the sweat casually, and playfully pinched the back of his neck. “Go shower”, he said. “You’ve got clothes here, right?”
Since Liang Jiashu often slept in the lab, he had a shower installed, and the closet beside it was also stocked with clean clothes. He nodded, then effortlessly scooped Lu Chi up and carried him to the bathroom door before setting him down. He then crouched to test the water temperature.
Lu Chi felt like a trembling Empress Dowager being pampered, and laughed out loud: “Wow, how thoughtful. Carrying me and everything~”
From behind, he giggled like a deranged hamster while Liang Jiashu, still in his disheveled pants and covered in sweat, silently adjusted the water, not even lifting his head. “Your skin’s all flushed”, he answered. “I held on to your tights too strongly, and now your legs are a complete mess.”
From the way Lu Chi slouched and let his limbs go slack, it was clear he didn’t want to move at all. However, Liang Jiashu wished Lu Chi would stay lazy like that forever… In that way, he could do everything for him.
They hadn’t made it to home base, but his instinct to control had already started running wild. He kept imagining what Lu Chi would wear next time they did it, how he’d prepare warm water in advance, remember to buy condoms and lube, and maybe even get Lu Chi a nicer-looking water bottle so his throat won’t get dry… Not to mention that that sad little frog cup of his was just too hideous.
Borderline grotesque!
Liang Jiashu couldn’t help but imagine a lot of “next times.”
But it wasn’t good. That kind of heavy intensity could scare off a butterfly so bright and free.
So he had to be patient.
“The bath’s ready.”
Lu Chi blinked and saw that, for some reason, Liang Jiashu looked like he’d been pissed off by someone, with a black aura practically steaming off his body. He turned on the showerhead for him and, without bothering to change out of his wet clothes, started walking away.
Lu Chi couldn’t help laughing. Reaching out, he hooked his hand around the young man’s strong arm, tugging lightly to pull the moody Gong No.1 back toward him.
“Did I say you could leave?”
Water droplets sprayed from the showerhead, filling the room with steam.
Lu Chi glanced sidelong at Liang Jiashu, lifting his damp bangs with a casual flick. His upturned, seductive eyes gleamed soft and dewy in the mist, tempting and dangerous, while his mouth let out the sweetest of words: “I don’t feel like moving. Wash me.”
He had already seen right through Liang Jiashu’s dark, possessive little thoughts, yet leaned in anyway, like it was no big deal. Like taming a wild wolf on a leash: tugging it tight, then slack, just to see what it would do next.
Lu Chi was fearless.
And Liang Jiashu… Loved every second of it.
Oh well, so much for being patient.
In a blink, Liang Jiashu pulled Lu Chi into his arms, holding him so tightly that even the muscles in his hands ached from the force. The wet fabric clung to their skin as the heat of the water soaked through.
He swallowed the question “What are we now?” but at the last second, right before pressing their lips together, his voice came out rough and low:
“Lu Chi, can I kiss you?”
Kissing, more than touching or arousal, felt infinitely more intimate.
Lu Chi smiled and raised a perfect eyebrow, looking just as stunning as ever. Then, with lazy ease, he pinched the back of Liang Jiashu’s neck, his soft, warm fingers grazing the hot skin.
“Sure, but you better rinse your mouth first.”
The steam hung thick in the air.
The man bent over and stuck out the tip of his red tongue, only to be immediately devoured. Lu Chi let out a soft, contented hum as he melted into the kiss, relaxed and pliant like sugar dissolving in warm water.
…………….
Dusk rolled in.
A wash of purplish-blue evening light spilled through the clouds, dyeing the whole campus in a soft, glowing hue.
The lab doors finally swung open.
Lu Chi stepped out wearing a charcoal gray dress shirt and slacks. Behind him followed Liang Jiashu, dressed in the same color palette.
And strangely enough… Even though they wore similar outfits, Liang Jiashu somehow still looked like a repressed puritan who’d frown at holding hands and smite lovers with his holy sword.
Cold, rigid, and strict as hell.
But Lu Chi, on the other hand, looked elegant and sharp in the exact same outfit. After all, every color came alive on him, even Liang Jiashu’s characteristic “graveyard grey”. He moved like a rose in full bloom, light, beautiful, and untouchable.
By now, it was nearly dinnertime, and both their stomachs were empty.
Though they hadn’t technically gone all the way, Liang Jiashu looked much calmer than after his first… Premature performance. After all, he had fully proven himself in the shower, specifically, that he could last “not less than an hour.”
By the end, Lu Chi had lost patience, grabbed him by the throat, kicked him in the shin, and proceeded to “teach him a lesson”, drenched head to toe and panting softly from his parted lips.
And naturally, Liang Jiashu, the good student he was, immediately dropped to his knees again to serve him.
Just hearing Lu Chi breathe could practically make him come.
Like an absolute wimp.
The entrance to the university was bustling with people. Under the glow of the setting sun, Liang Jiashu’s Rolls-Royce looked even more luxurious. A University had no shortage of rich kids, but not to the point where they could convince their parents to buy them a car of that caliber, so students nearby secretly snapped photos with their phones, whispering the same question…
…Whose car is that?
Amid the not-so-subtle glances of the crowd, Liang Jiashu slid into the driver’s seat and, without missing a beat, leaned over to buckle Lu Chi’s seatbelt for him.
A matching scent of body wash drifted over.
The tall man lowered his gaze. At 187 centimeters, his frame completely enveloped Lu Chi as he stared seriously at the seatbelt buckle, as if he were trying to figure out how it worked for the very first time.
“…”
Lu Chi raised a brow, glanced at a few students secretly filming nearby, and smiled as he pinched the back of Liang Jiashu’s neck, not exposing his little scheme. “Alright”, he said. “Just take me home.”
“Okay.”
Liang Jiashu responded naturally, not the least bit embarrassed. The moment Lu Chi gave permission, he clipped the seatbelt in and stepped on the accelerator.
The luxury car glided into the busy traffic of A City. Inside the vehicle, it fell quiet. Staring ahead at the road, Liang Jiashu soon spoke in an offhand tone: “One of Liang Corporation’s subsidiaries runs a gourmet catering brand. They specialize in custom private dining. All eight major regional cuisines… They say it’s excellent.”
Lu Chi was still dealing with the slight numbness in his tongue, and before Liang Jiashu could finish what was clearly an invitation, he cut him off: “Maybe another time. I want to eat alone today.”
Liang Jiashu’s grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly. After a pause, his tone remained steady while answering: “Okay. Let me know whenever you feel like it.”
Lu Chi gave a vague “mm,” ignoring this Gong No.1, who was now quietly radiating gloom again.
His whole body still carried the scent and marks of another man. His chest itched, the leather garter had left faint pressure marks on his thigh, and his lower abdomen even felt a little raw from being licked. Other than not having actual penetrative sex, they’d done pretty much everything else.
He really shouldn’t have let Liang Jiashu go crazy like that.
Living or dead, Lu Chi had never experienced anything like that before. It left him unsettled, and his expression was slightly distant, tinged with novelty and contemplation.
The system, which had essentially been pixelated out of the entire endeavour, was bursting with curiosity: [Host… Baby]
[Don’t interrupt. I’m thinking] Lu Chi replied with solemn composure.
The system was immediately cowed. It let out a couple of obedient “oh, oh” sounds and didn’t dare disturb the great, wise, kind, and irresistible “Saviour of the world”, who was so spectacular that even passing ants would scream and do mating dances at his feet!
Whew, that title was too long. Almost made it run out of digital breath.
Night slowly fell, the distant city lights coming to life in a noisy, glittering display. The car cruised through the streets and soon pulled up beneath Lu Chi’s apartment building.
He got out without any lingering sentiment, but just as he was about to walk off, Liang Jiashu called out to him. The young man handed over a small white box of ointment, which he must’ve grabbed from the lab. There was no label, but his instructions were concise: “For bruises. Apply once a day. It works fast.”
After speaking, he went quiet, his dark eyes fixed on Lu Chi.
Lu Chi nodded, accepted the box, and politely said goodbye. “Got it. Drive safe.”
Just four words, but it was enough to make Liang Jiashu’s gloomy expression brighten instantly.
Lu Chi waved at him, turned, and headed upstairs. It wasn’t until he’d taken the elevator, opened the door, and switched on the lights that the roar of the engine echoed from below.
Only then did Liang Jiashu finally drive away.
Lu Chi’s stomach was completely empty. His tongue was still a little swollen from being sucked on, so instead of a proper meal, he ordered a cold dessert delivery. The system noticed he casually stashed the ointment in the coffee table drawer without opening it, and immediately raised a fuss: [Baby, why aren’t you applying the medicine? Wait, why do you even need medicine in the first place?! Did the Gong No.1 hit you?! He dared?!]
The system got more and more agitated, until Lu Chi chuckled and soothed it: [I’m just too lazy. Don’t overthink. Be good.]
After calming the system, Lu Chi stood in front of the bathroom mirror and took off his clothes, revealing skin covered in hickey and bruises. Red to the point of purple, the kiss marks and bite prints were scattered across his torso, and there were even faint fingerprints on his porcelain-white waist, clear signs of possessive intensity that bordered on alarming.
Lu Chi studied himself in the mirror for a moment. Then, curious, he lowered his head and glanced at his side.
Without thinking much of it, he picked up his phone and snapped a photo of his waist, sending it straight to Liang Jiashu.
EatSleepDanceAgain: [photo.JPG]
EatSleepDanceAgain: [shocked_kitten.JPG]
After sending the message, Lu Chi set his phone down, changed into pajamas, and began his nightly routine. Liang Jiashu was probably still driving and hadn’t seen the WeChat message yet. Back in bed, Lu Chi finally tapped open the unread message from Gu Yanyan that had come in around noon.
AAA VIP Booth Booking – Xiao Yan: [Chi-ge, I heard you’re working as a teaching assistant at A University! Congrats!]
AAA VIP Booth Booking – Xiao Yan: [I’ve had some things to deal with the past few days, so I haven’t reported to school yet, but I already asked my roommate to sign me up for your class. Can’t wait to see you on campus~]
AAA VIP Booth Booking – Xiao Yan: [New job red envelope]
AAA VIP Booth Booking – Xiao Yan: [By the way, your ID photo is super good-looking. I found the original and saved it.]
…The protagonist Shou hadn’t reported in yet?!
So, after Liang Zhiyu hit him that day, how exactly did things end between the two of them? Too much had happened recently, and Lu Chi had completely forgotten to ask Liang Jiashu about it. He pondered for a moment but still didn’t accept the red envelope, replying simply.
EatSleepDanceAgain: [Thanks.]
Suddenly, his phone buzzed.
Lu Chi exited the chat to see a new friend request. The avatar was pitch black, and the accompanying message was insufferably edgy, so familiar it made his palm twitch with the urge to slap.
Baby-Faced Wolf: [Still got me blocked?! Lu Chi, how long are you gonna act all high and mighty?! I may joke around and act easygoing most of the time, but if you touch my reverse scale, I’ll show you what true darkness looks like (like my profile picture, for example)!]
Baby-Faced Wolf: [Still not accepting my request?! Don’t think you can act all smug just because I’m chasing after you! I may seem naive and smitten on the surface, but underneath, I’m sharp and calculating! You’ll never outplay me! But if you insist on unleashing the devil in my heart, then I only have one question: Can you handle it?!]
Lu Chi: “…”
He blinked at the screen, and just before blocking the guy again, he sent back a five-character reply:
EatSleepDanceAgain: [Too many words. Not reading.]
……………..
Back at the A City Police Station.
A police officer handed over mobile phones to the two boys in the detention cell, who were practically bouncing with anticipation. The officer barked a stern warning: “You only get one hour of external communication after a full week in here. Watch your time and your language! Don’t bring more trouble on yourselves!”
“If you two get thrown in here again for fighting like last time, it won’t matter who comes to bail you out. We’ll lock you up properly!”
On the bunk beds in the holding cell, two bruised-up teens shot each other disgusted looks before each took a phone and scurried to opposite corners to send messages.
Gu Yanyan bit his lip, recalling what the Lin family had said when they handed him some money. Nervously, he fired off a series of congratulatory texts and red envelopes to Lu Chi. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Liang Zhiyu frowning, staring intensely at his phone, and couldn’t help sneering:
Idiot. Still bothering Chi-ge like a ghost that won’t leave?
Liang Zhiyu didn’t care about his glare in the slightest. What a joke. That little whore had the nerve to cling to Lu Chi shamelessly, and he thought he had no right?!
He bit his fingers hard. His long bangs fell over half his face, shadowing his expression as his bloodied fingernails dug into his mobile phone’s screen, where a message reminding him he’d been blocked again.
The familiar scent of blood filled the air.
But instead of getting more agitated, Liang Zhiyu calmed down.
His browser window was still open to his last search: “What kind of username makes someone feel compelled to reply?”
After a pause, Liang Zhiyu registered a new account.
And typed in his new username:
Smiling Tiger[mfn]Is this guy an idiot? Redundant question, I know, but anyway, bear with me. So his new, block-proof username is Smiling Tiger, 笑面虎 (xiàomiànhǔ). It’s a Chinese expression representing a person one really needs to be careful around, because you never know when they’ll threaten you. Basically, someone who shows you a sweet and safe smile, but it’s actually a tiger that could bite your head off any second. It’s beyond me how Liang Zhiyu considers that a good, trust-inducing username[/mfn].
………………………………..
Enjoyed this chapter? You can support me and read up to Chapter 22 here, with 5 new chapters coming next Friday, on 03.10! Happy Reading!
